DC power system for marine vessels

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention is a power system for a marine vessel including a plurality of power sources. A propulsion power distribution unit is coupled to the plurality of primary power sources. A plurality of propulsion devices are coupled to the propulsion power distribution unit. A weaponry power distribution unit is coupled to the propulsion power distribution unit. A plurality of directed energy weapons are coupled to the weaponry power distribution unit.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A power system for a marine vessel, the power system comprising: 
 a plurality of primary power sources;    a propulsion power distribution unit coupled to said plurality of primary power sources,    a plurality of propulsion devices coupled to said propulsion power distribution unit, said propulsion devices imparting motion to said vessel;    a weaponry power distribution unit coupled to said propulsion power distribution unit;    a plurality of directed energy weapons coupled to said weaponry power distribution unit.    
     
     
         2 . The power system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said propulsion power distribution unit is a DC power distribution unit and includes two rails connected by a plurality of propulsion rungs.  
 
     
     
         3 . The power system of  claim 2  wherein: 
 each of said primary power sources is coupled to one of said plurality of propulsion rungs.  
 
     
     
         4 . The power system of  claim 2  wherein: 
 each of said primary power sources is coupled to each of said plurality of propulsion rungs through an AC-DC converter.  
 
     
     
         5 . The power system of  claim 2  wherein: 
 each of said plurality of propulsion rungs is coupled to a respective propulsion device.  
 
     
     
         6 . The power system of  claim 2  wherein: 
 said weaponry power distribution unit is a DC power distribution unit including two rails connected by a plurality of weaponry rungs.  
 
     
     
         7 . The power system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 each of said propulsion rungs is coupled to one of said plurality of weaponry rungs.  
 
     
     
         8 . The power system of  claim 7  wherein: 
 each of said propulsion rungs is coupled to one of said plurality of weaponry rungs through a DC-DC converter.  
 
     
     
         9 . The power system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 each of said plurality of weaponry rungs is coupled to a respective directed energy weapon.  
 
     
     
         10 . The power system of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 an auxiliary power distribution unit coupled to said propulsion power distribution unit.  
 
     
     
         11 . The power system of  claim 10  wherein: 
 said auxiliary power distribution unit is a DC power distribution unit including two rails connected by a plurality of auxiliary rungs.  
 
     
     
         12 . The power system of  claim 11  wherein: 
 each of said propulsion rungs is coupled to one of said plurality of auxiliary rungs.  
 
     
     
         13 . The power system of  claim 12  wherein: 
 each of said propulsion rungs is coupled to one of said plurality of auxiliary rungs through a DC-DC converter.  
 
     
     
         14 . The power system of  claim 11  wherein: 
 each of said plurality of auxiliary rungs is coupled to a respective auxiliary load.  
 
     
     
         15 . The power system of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 an ancillary power source coupled to at least one of said auxiliary rungs.  
 
     
     
         16 . The power system of  claim 15  wherein: 
 said ancillary power source is a flywheel.